Course Description: Agent-based systems are commonplace in environments characterized by distributed, collaborative, and autonomous units. The techniques and algorithms of agent-based systems and multiagent systems are presented. Real world applications are explored. A group project is an integral part of this course.

Objectives:

To have a rich understanding of multiagent systems and their limitations

skills to design automation solutions using multiagent system techniques

Lectures in this calss will not
cover internet programming, setting up ecommerce sites, or developing web pages.
The term projects could include these activities. The lectures will focus on
enabling concepts, models and theories.

Course administration and grading. The course will be run as a regular
lectrure class. A single term project will worth 40/100 points. Two midterms and a final exam will count 30% with equal worths. Exams will be either take home or in class. Two netlogo homewords that are peer judged and peer graded will count 10% each. Attendance will count for 10%. Although it is different from netlogo, a good tutorial is available on starlogo that can serve as a good starting point.

Projects: Projects are either applied where agent-based methodology is used for simulation or basic research where an aspect of multiagency is extended beyond the state of the art. We recommend using netlogo for applied research. Example of applied research are: artificial swarm control, modeling dynamics of team sports, modeling a big man society, human robot interaction, modeling crowds, and modeling human decision making.

Who should attend and prerequisites. We welcome CS graduate
students with some background in AI and a strong interest in multiagent systems
research. Graduate students in all other closely related sciences who are interested
in projects or independent studies are also encouraged to participate. Graduate
students may select thesis topics. Senior undergraduate CS students who
have taken CS330 with a grade of C or better are also welcome. A group project is an integral part of this course for undergraduate srtudents.

Emergency Procedures: Southern Illinois University Carbondale is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for study and work. Because some health and safety circumstances are beyond our control, we ask that you become familiar with the SIUC Emergency Response Plan and Building Emergency Response Team (BERT) program. Emergency response information is available on posters in buildings on campus, available on BERT's website at www.bert.siu.edu, Department of Safety's website www.dps.siu.edu (disaster drop down) and in Emergency Response Guideline pamphlet. Know how to respond to each type of emergency.